WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. – The Mental Health Association of Westchester is seeking volunteer advocates for New York state’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Ombudsmen resolve complaints, monitor quality of life issues, and help residents at locations including nursing and adult homes as well as assisted living residencies.

A free 36-hour training program will run once a week for five weeks and begin on Oct. 2, 2014. Subjects will include the aging process, regulations, levels of care, and how-to skills regarding working and negotiating with staff for the protection of residents’ rights as prescribed by law, according to a press release.

Call program director Margaret Hadad at 914-345-5900, ext. 7522 for more information or to schedule an interview.

MHA is a community-based mental health agency that has been offering services, education and advocacy for 68 years. It annually provides a variety of mental health services for 18,000 people. For more information, visit its website.